Word Explorer

Shy

/ʃaɪ/

An act of throwing.

📖 Definitions of "Shy"

noun

1
An act of throwing.
2
A place for throwing.
"coconut shy"
3
A sudden start aside, as by a horse.
4
In the Eton College wall game, a point scored by lifting the ball against the wall in the calx.

verb

1
To avoid due to timidness or caution.
"I shy away from investment opportunities I don't understand."
2
To jump back in fear.
"The horse shied away from the rider, which startled him so much he shied away from the horse."
3
To throw sideways with a jerk; to fling
"shy a slipper"

adjective

1
Easily frightened; timid.
2
Reserved; disinclined to familiar approach.
"He is very shy with strangers."
3
Cautious; wary; suspicious.
4
Short, insufficient or less than.
"By our count your shipment came up two shy of the bill of lading amount."

5 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
timid	Lacking in courage or confidence.
diffident	Lacking self-confidence; timid; modest
waryverb	Cautious of danger; carefully watching and guarding against deception, trickery, and dangers; suspiciously prudent
unsure	uncertain, ambivalent.
unconfident	Not confident.

Words with the opposite meaning.

Word	Definition
unilaterally	In a unilateral or one-sided way.

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
timid	Lacking in courage or confidence.
diffident	Lacking self-confidence; timid; modest
deficient	Lacking something essential; often construed with in.
insufficient	Not sufficient; of a type or kind that does not suffice, that does not satisfy requirements or needs.
unsure	uncertain, ambivalent.
unconfident	Not confident.
wary	Cautious of danger; carefully watching and guarding against deception, trickery, and dangers; suspiciously prudent
bashful	Shy; not liking to be noticed; socially timid.
coy	Pretending shyness or modesty, especially in an insincere or flirtatious way.
skittish	Easily scared or startled; timid.
afraid	Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear.
frightened	Afraid; suffering from fear.
fearful	Frightening; causing fear.
embarrassed	Having a feeling of shameful discomfort.
uncomfortable	Not comfortable; causing discomfort.
scaredverb	Feeling fear; afraid, frightened.
shame	(Australian Aboriginal) Feeling shame; ashamed.
feeble	Deficient in physical strength.
annoyed	Troubled, irritated by something unwanted or unliked (an annoyance); vexed.
weak	Lacking in force (usually strength) or ability.